Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-03-29

accompanied me and rendered efficient aid
in caring for the wounded.
| have great PLEASURE in awarding to
Major McGarry, Major Gallagher and Sur
geon r. Z. Reid the highest praise for their
skill, gallantry and bravery throughout the
engagement. And to the company officers
the highest praise is due, without invidious
distinction for their courage and determi-
nation evinced throughout the engagement;
their obedience to ORDERS attention, kind
ness and care for the wounded are not less
worthy of notice. Of the good conduct
and bravery of both officers and men, Cali
fornia has reason to be proud.
We found 224 bodies on the field among
which were those of the chiefs Bear Hunter,
Sagwitch and Lehi. How many more were
killed than stated l am unable to say, as
the condition of the wounded redered their
immediate removal a necessity, was I'M
able to examine the field. l captured It's
horses, some arms, large quantity of
wheat and other provisions which had been
furnished them by the Mormons. l left a
supply of provisions for the sustenance of
160 captive squaws and children who were
released by me on the field.
The enemy had about 300 warriors, mostly
all armed with rifles and having plenty of
ammunition, which rumor says they re-
ceived from the inhabitants of this Terri
tory in exchange for the property of mas
sacred emigrants. The position of the In
dams was one of great natural strength,
and had l not succeeded in thanking them
the morality of my command would have
been terrible. In consequence of the deep
snow the howitzers did not reach the field
in time to be used in the action. have the
honor of remaining, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) z. Ed. Common,
Colonel 3rd Infantry Cal. VOL, Com'd Dist.
To 1t. Col. r. @. Drum, Adj't. Gen. q. s. A.
Department of the Pacific"
Eighteen of Colonel Connor's command
were killed, forty-nine were wounded and
seventy-six were confined to the hospital
suffering from frost-bitten feet, making
total of 142 casualties. When the battle
was ended Colonel Connor gave every at
| tention to his wounded men. The dead
were placed in the baggage wagons, ready
| for transportation to camp. He destroyed
| the lodges, eighty in number and all the
| provisions of the Indians, with the ex-
| ception of what would be needed for the
| squaws and children or could be used by the
| troops, or sold for the government. On the
| morning after the battle the wounded were
| hurried on to camp in advance of the main
body, receiving on their way every attention
possible. The remainder of the force was
| detained by the mountain SHOWS, and did
not reach Camp Douglas until the evening
| of the 4th of February, 1868. The dead were
buried in the graveyard of the post with all
military honors.
On February 8, 1863, while the volunteers
were out on dress parade, the following
order was read by Adiutant VIM. D. Ustick:
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF UTAH,
CAMP DOUGLAS, U. T., Feb. 6, 1863.
The Colonel commanding has the pleas
ure of congratulating the troops of this post
upon the brilliant victory achieved at the
Pnt Of
After rapid march of four nights in in
tensely cold weather, through deep SHOWS
and drifts, which you endured without
murmur or complaint, even when some of
your number were frozen with cold, and
faint with hunger and fatigue, you met an
enemy who have heretofore, on two coca
sions, defied and defeated regular troops,
and who have for the last fifteen years been
the terror of the emigrants, men, women
and children and citizens of those valleys,
numbering and robbing them without fear
of punishment.
At daylight on the 80 of January 1868,
you encountered the enemy, greatly your
superior in numbers, and had a desperate
battle. Continuing with unfinching courage
for over four hours, you completely cut him
to pieces, captured his property and arms,
destroyed his stronghold and burnt his
lodges.
The long list of killed and wounded is the
most fitting eulogy on your courage and
bravery. The Colonel commanding returns
you his thanks. The gallant officers and
men, who were engaged in this battle, with
out invidious distinction, merit the highest
praise. Your accomplishing endurance and
unexampled conduct on the field, as well as
your thoughtful care and kindness for the
wounded, is worthy of emulation. While
we rejoice at the brilliant victory you have
achieved over your savage foe it is meet that
IL hoV,T0 10 fnn of hr-oT
comrades, the heroic men who fell fighting !
to maintain the supremacy of our arms. T9e |
deeply mourn their death and acknowledge |
their valor.
While the people of California will regret |
their loss they will do honor to every officer |
and soldier who has by his heroism added |
new laurels to the fair escutcheon of the |
State.
By order of Colonel Common.
(Signed) VIM D. UsTIcK
First Lieutenant and Adjutant, Third In |
fantry, G. V. Acting Assistant Adjutant |
General.
When the report of this victory reached |
through official reports the following ac- !
knowledgemnt was made:
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, D. G. March 90, 1868.
Brig General Geo. Wright, Cond'g Dept |
Of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.
GENERAL: l have this day received your
letter of February Goth, inclosing P Ed |
Connor's report of his severe battle and |
splendid victory ON Bear River, Washington |
Territory. After a forced march of one |
hundred and forty miles in midwinter and |
through deep SHOWS, in which seventy-six of |
his men were disabled by frozen feet, he and |
his gallant band of only two hundred, at
tackled three hundred warriors in their
stronghold and after hard fought battle of |
four hours, destroyed the entire band, leav-
ing two hundred and twenty-four dead upon
the field. Our losses in the battle were
eighteen killed and forty-nine wounded.
Colonel Common and the brave Californians
deserve the highest praise for their gallant
and heroic conduct.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
(Signed) II. w. HALLEoK,
General-in- Chief